Plants in Society and Sustainabilty by Ayesha A

Plant Biology

bloomingflowers — 2013-10-21 01:40:51 UTC

The Kava-Kava plant is a part of the pepper family and it is an evergreen shrub that is 2 meters tall and its roots reach a depth of 60 cm (Grieve 2005). Its leaves are light green, heart-shaped and pointed with branching and spotted stems (Grieve 2005). The fruits are berries with one seed however they should not be consumed (Seshata 2013). The plant usually grows in shady, moist areas where the humidity ranges from 70% to 100% (KV Naturals). Other conditions include areas with plenty of rainfall and temperature ranging from 20° to 35° Celsius, however too much water or sunlight will kill the plant (KV Naturals). When the plant reaches 2 min height it starts growing wider and more stalks but doesn’t grow any taller (Seshata 2013). The Kava-Kava plant is native to many Pacific Ocean islands (KV Naturals).

Plant Products

bloomingflowers — 2013-10-21 01:45:49 UTC

The kava plant can be used for medicinal purposes such as for anxiety, pain, leprosy, insomnia and depression however sometimes it can make depression worse (WebMD 2005). There are also many other uses for the Kava plant but there is not sufficient evidence due to it making some problems worse than before (WebMD 2005). How Kava works is not clear as of yet but it is certain that is affects the brain and central nervous system (WebMD 2005). The kava lactones in the roots are found to affect the levels of neurotransmitters which are chemicals that carry messages from nerve cells to other cells (Wong 2013). The Kava plant can increase how quickly the liver breaks down some medications (Wong 2013). Thereforeit should not be taken with other drugs such as anesthetic during surgery because it can increase its effects (WebMD 2005).

Role in Human Society

bloomingflowers — 2013-10-21 01:47:15 UTC

Due to the kava plants having big safety concerns many countries have banned it (Seshata 2013). In 2002 Canada also banned kava sales but in 2004 the authorities issued a stop-sale order and in 2012 the retail sale of the kava plant was made legal again in Canada(Seshata 2013). In 2009 a University in Australia discovered that people involved in the research showed no signs of liver damage which opposed the concerns
of European, British and Canadian authorities which banned kava sales in 2002 (Seshata 2013). The kava plant is not only used for spiritual purposes but also for social and recreational purposes. Kava-kava is a popular social drink similar to alcohol in Western societies and on Vanuatu there are many Kava Bars available to men and women (WebMD 2005). The Kava plant can also be used to stimulate
sexual desire and relieve menstrual pain (WebMD 2005).

Environmental Sustainibilty

bloomingflowers — 2013-10-21 01:49:01 UTC

The Kava-kava plant does not reproduce sexually because female flowers are very rare and don’t produce fruit even when hand-pollinated (KV Naturals). Therefore the Kava-kava plant is mostly grown by breeding stem cuttings (KV Naturals). The Kava-kava plant is not sustainable due to it needing a lot of nutrients to keep alive (KV Naturals). Therefore to grow the plant natural fertilizers are used to feed the plant such as fresh manure and organic materials like banana peels and such (1Hour Break 2013). To make the plant sustainable it should be not grown in monocultures but with other plants such as mangoes, papayas and coconuts to keep the soil fertile for future generations (1Hour Break 2013).

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Conclusion

bloomingflowers — 2013-10-21 03:11:56 UTC

Although the kava-kava plant is useful in a lot of ways it hasn’t really made a huge impact on the growth and development of society. Around the world many countries have banned kava due to it causing health issues therefore the only areas where it is grown have been impacted. For example in Vanuatu the kava-kava plant is used to make juice which is used in many different rituals and ceremonies due to it bringing the people together (WebMD 2005). Also in Fiji they have Kava-kava bars in which only people over 18 years old are allowed to go and drink due to it being similar to alcohol in the Western society (Wong 2013). Another thing it can do is let you get what you want for example after offering it to someone it can calm them down and consider granting your request (Wong 2013). It is especially useful in asking for someone’s hand in marriage whose parents refuse it (Wong 2013). However the most important thing is it has become useful in aiding relief of pain and many illnesses. It has become a very useful medicinal herb in many drugs (WebMD 2005).

bloomingflowers — 2013-10-21 03:18:07 UTC